Q&A with Robert Gibbs on Air Force One

(WHITE HOUSE/KXAN) - On the way to the Fort Hood memorial service, press secretary Robert Gibbs answered reporter questions on the president's agenda on Tuesday as well as the ongoing investigation into the shootings.

Below are selections from his conversation with reporters regarding Fort Hood:

MR. GIBBS: Good morning, folks. How is everyone? Who's first?

Q: Two questions about Fort Hood. Just a logistical question: The schedule has the President meeting with wounded troops twice, before and after the service. Are these all troops wounded in the shooting, or is this two different groups?

MR. GIBBS: As I understand it, and I'll double-check this, as I understand it, he'll meet with families from those that have lost loved ones today whom we're here to honor in the memorial service. He'll speak, and then if I'm not mistaken, he'll make a visit to the hospital, as well.*

Q: Okay. If you could check that because the schedule has it a little differently. And a bigger picture question: I know that the White House has said that the investigation isn’t done yet about this incident, but over the last few days there's been several news reports that seem to paint a picture of at least missed warning signs, some troubling news reports. Is the White House concerned that there were missed signs?

MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I can tell you this, Ben, as you mentioned, this is an ongoing joint investigation, and the President has asked every agency involved and everybody that would have come -- would have had some purview over this to investigate why this happened, how this happened, and to ensure that they can tell him that it won't happen again. That's what he's asked everyone to look into.

Q: But is it premature in your view to comment about whether there was poor communication within the agencies or missed signs or anything of that nature?

MR. GIBBS: That's what we want to figure out. And the President has asked that there be that accounting, and when we have it we'll let it be known.

Q: Robert, can you talk about what kind of briefings he's had on the investigation in the last, say, 24 hours or so?

MR. GIBBS: Nothing more than just to say that he continues to get regular updates as the situation warrants, primarily through John Brennan, who collects information to give to the President.

Q: Regarding Major Hasan, the picture that's coming out about him is that he definitely had become radicalized through some mechanism, either self-radicalized or otherwise. Should the public have qualms about Muslims serving in the military? Is the President thinking about what to do about Muslims serving in the U.S. military?

MR. GIBBS: I think General Casey, the Chief of Staff of the Army, addressed that this weekend. Obviously there are people, as I said yesterday as well, of all faiths and all ethnicities serving with distinction and valor in our Armed Services today. The investigation is ongoing to figure out what would motivate an individual to carry out the type of act that this major carried out. We're looking into that through the FBI and DOD, through this investigation.

Q: In his speech today at the service, can you give a preview of what the President is going to talk about?

MR. GIBBS: They were finishing the remarks -- the President was going through that with Ben Rhodes just a short time ago on the plane. I hope to have the final text for you before we land. The President will use the opportunity to honor the 13 men and women that died, to talk a little bit about each of them, and to discuss the contributions that they made and the notion that their memory lasts in the service and the dedication of the Armed Forces and by the people that they touched, both in the military and outside. Obviously this is a very solemn event. I think the President is proud to take part in the honor -- in honoring these men and women so close to Veterans Day.